Sarah-Patricia Breen – The Conversation

Federal funding for public transit shows an under-representation of rural and small communities. (Ant Rozetsky/Unsplash)

August 4, 2026

Is Canada finally investing in its rural communities? What funding for rural transit reveals

Sarah-Patricia Breen, University of Guelph; Ela Mastej, University of Guelph, and Ryan Gibson, University of Guelph

While transit programs are often focused on urban places, it’s just as important to rural communities to maintain transportation links.

The town of Innisfail, Alta., in June 2020. Rural Canada is vital to the economic and social health of Canada, but is routinely ignored by federal policymakers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

April 7, 2025

In Canada’s 2025 federal election, is anyone paying attention to rural communities?

Sarah-Patricia Breen, University of Guelph; Heather Hall, University of Waterloo; Kyle Rich, Brock University, and Ryan Gibson, University of Guelph

Rural communities are vital to Canada’s economic success and sovereignty. But rural Canada remains poorly understood and underrepresented in federal programs and policies.

Rural public transit has important economic and social benefits. So why does Canada fail so badly on providing it to rural residents? (Shutterstock)

May 8, 2023

Why rural Canadians need public transit just as urgently as suburbanites

Sarah-Patricia Breen, University of Guelph

There is a continuing misunderstanding of rural realities by policymakers. Ultimately this puts transit out of reach for many rural areas.

Part of Gros Morne National Park in western Newfoundland is seen in June 2017. Tourism is critically important for many areas of rural Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colin Perkel

April 14, 2021

Rural vs. urban Canada: No ‘one size fits all’ COVID‑19 recovery

Sarah-Patricia Breen, University of Saskatchewan

Misconceptions of rural realities can have serious implications. Better use of data can help avoid this and lead to policies that will help rural communities recover in the post-pandemic.

Contact Sarah-Patricia for